Ruthenium p-cymene complexes with α-diimine ligands as catalytic precursors for the transfer hydrogenation of ethyl levulinate to γ-valerolactone

Selective hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone using in situ generated ruthenium nanoparticles derived from Ru-NHC complexes.

Hydrogenation of levulinic acid (LA) to γ-valerolactone (GVL) was studied by using mono- and bidentate p-cymene ruthenium(ii) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes as catalyst precursors. In water, all complexes were found to be reduced in situ to form ruthenium nanoparticles (RuNPs) with a high hydrogenation activity. In organic solvents, complexes with monodentate NHC ligands also formed nan...

Conversion of biomass-derived ethyl levulinate into γ-valerolactone via hydrogen transfer from supercritical ethanol over a ZrO2 catalyst

Application of ruthenium complexes of triazole-containing tridentate ligands to asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones.

The synthesis of a series of tridentate ligands based on a homochiral 1,2-diamine structure attached to a triazole group and their subsequent applications to the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones are described. In the best cases, alcohols of up to 93% ee were obtained. Although base is not required, the use of Ru(3)(CO)(12) as metal source is essential, indicating a unique mechanism ...

Continuous hydrogenation of ethyl levulinate to γ-valerolactone and 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran over alumina doped Cu/SiO2 catalyst: the potential of commercialization

Hydrogenation of levulinic acid (LA) and its esters to produce γ-valerolactone (GVL) and 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran (2-MTHF) is a key step for the utilization of cellulose derived LA. Aiming to develop a commercially feasible base metal catalyst for the production of GVL from LA, with satisfactory activity, selectivity, and stability, Al2O3 doped Cu/SiO2 and Cu/SiO2 catalysts were fabricated by c...

Unusual dimer formation of cyclometalated ruthenium NHC p-cymene complexes.

We present the synthesis and structural characterization of novel ruthenium complexes containing C^C* cyclometalated N-heterocyclic carbene ligands, η(6)-arene (p-cymene) ligands and one bridging chlorine ion. Complexes of the general formula [Ru(p-cymene)(C^C*)Cl] were prepared via a one-pot synthesis using in situ transmetalation from the correspondent silver NHC complexes. These complexes re...